Dog Days of Summer: Safe Pet Pest Control

Americans believe that commercially available pesticides such as those found in pet products, are tightly regulated by the government. In fact, they are not. Each year, thousands of dogs are injured or killed through exposure to pet products containing pesticides that have not been properly diluted before use.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- June 24th, 2003

CONTACT - Pete ONeil 212-861-6700 / 212-744-1653

Dog Days of Summer: Safe Pet Pest Control

Upper East Side, New York, NY -- Each year, dog lovers purchase and use a vast array of products intended to kill fleas and ticks on their pets. Dog owners also have their animals flea dipped by groomers. While these pet owners may feel that they are making their canine more comfortable, they may actually be poisoning their pets and family members. Many times, the products used contain potent toxic pesticides that may poison pets as well as pose a serious health risk to humans who come in contact with animals exposed to these chemicals. In particular, toddlers hand-to-mouth tendencies make it easy for toxins to be ingested by children who touch the family dog.

Americans believe that commercially available pesticides, such as those found in pet products, are tightly regulated by the government. In fact, they are not. Each year, thousands of dogs are injured or killed through exposure to pet products containing pesticides that have not been properly diluted before use.

Healthier alternatives to these pesticides are readily available. Preventive measures, such as frequent bathing and combing of dogs, vacuuming your home often and washing your dogs bedding at least twice a month will work toward solving the pest problem. The safety and effectiveness of these alternatives makes continued use of older, more toxic pet products tragically unnecessary.

Top New York City groomer and shop owner Tomy Maugeri puts it this way You wouldnt dip your child in toxic chemicals if they had lice. Im using all non-toxic all natural flea and tick shampoo treatments on our client's dogs which works great. I have to occasionally remind some pet owners about being vigilant with home clean-up and pet bedding washing. Theres no reason for any professional to subject a dog to dangerous chemicals for flea and tick care," said Maugeri, owner of Tomy Maugeri Dog Salon.

With the start of summer, on June 27th, Maugeri will be hosting the free Flea and Tick Friday." The longtime groomer will demonstrate proper summer dog care at his new Upper East Side shop, located at 450 East 81st Street (between 1st & York). This will be a very visual and important all day presentation. Pet owners are encouraged to attend.

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Reporters with any special needs, including those wishing to do live remote interviews / demonstrations, should call ahead.

For more information you can go to these sites:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00000029.htm
http://216.239.33.100/search?q=cache:hZertxL4c68J:www.pesticide.org/fleas.pdf+fleas+dip+health+hazards+for+dogs&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
http://www.pestproducts.com/petsupplies.htm
http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/pets/pets.pdf

Tomy Maugeri was born in Brooklyn and raised in Staten Island. Tomy worked four years as a vet tech before deciding to become a groomer. He is a 1992 graduate of the prestigious New York School of Dog Grooming. He has been grooming for more than 12 years having begun his career on New Yorks Upper East Side. He has groomed celebrity pets both in the United States and in Rome, Italy. Today, he is considered one of the best dog groomers in the country.